Surgical slider instrument and method of using instrument

Abstract

A surgical instrument to aid in maneuvering a slideable member along a rod or other base member. The instrument has a distal tip which straddles the slideable member to provide for longitudinal movement of the slideable member in either longitudinal direction. The instrument also allows downward force to be applied to the slideable member. The instrument also may be used to assist in introducing the slideable member into an opening of another device.

I claim: 
     
       1. A surgical instrument for maneuvering a slideable member along an elongated rod, the instrument including a distal tip and a single-membered, nonpivotal elongated handle extending therefrom, the tip including first and second extending members spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected by an interconnecting portion therebetween, thus providing a cavity having fixed, nonadjustable spacing between the first and second extending members for receiving the slideable member, and wherein the first and second extending members each have a side which includes a recess extending into the extending member. 
     
     
       2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the handle connects to the distal tip more toward the second extending member than the first extending member. 
     
     
       3. A surgical instrument for maneuvering a slideable member along an elongated rod, the instrument including a distal tip and a single-membered, nonpivotal elongated handle extending therefrom, the tip including first and second extending members spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected by an interconnecting portion therebetween, thus providing a cavity having fixed, nonadjustable spacing between the first and second extending members for receiving the slideable member, and wherein the interconnecting portion and the first and second extending members are each substantially planar and wherein the extending members are each substantially perpendicular to the interconnecting portion. 
     
     
       4. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the elongated handle forms an angle of about 120° with the interconnecting portion. 
     
     
       5. A surgical instrument for maneuvering a slideable member along an elongated rod, the instrument including a distal tip and an elongated handle extending therefrom, the tip including first and second extending members spaced apart from each other and connected by an interconnecting portion therebetween, thus providing a cavity between the first and second extending members for receiving the slideable member, and wherein the first and second extending members each have a side which includes a recess extending into the extending member, and wherein the first and second extending members each have a top side which connects to the interconnecting member and wherein the recessed sides of the respective extending members are located adjacent to the respective top sides. 
     
     
       6. A method of utilizing a surgical instrument in conjunction with a slideable member located along an elongated rod and wherein the instrument includes a distal tip and an elongated handle extending therefrom, the tip including first and second extending members spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected by an interconnecting portion therebetween, thus providing a cavity having fixed spacing between the first and second extending members, the cavity being open on at least one side and being adapted for accepting a portion of the slideable member therein for straddling the slideable member between the first and second extending members, the method including the following steps: (a) straddling the slideable member in the cavity between the first and second extending members of the instrument; and   (b) applying longitudinal force to the instrument to slide both the whole instrument and the straddled slideable member longitudinally along the rod to the desired location along the rod.   
     
     
       7. A method of utilizing a surgical instrument in conjunction with a slideable member located along an elongated rod wherein the slideable member is adapted for being inserted through an opening in an open-back member, and wherein the instrument includes a distal tip and an elongated handle extending therefrom, the tip including first and second extending members spaced apart from each other and rigidly connected by an interconnecting portion therebetween, thus providing a cavity having fixed spacing between the first and second extending members, the cavity being open on at least one side and being adapted for accepting a portion of the slideable member therein for straddling the slideable member between the first and second extending members, the method including the following steps: (a) positioning the elongated rod over the opening to the open-back member;   (b) straddling the slideable member in the cavity between the first and second extending members of the instrument;   (c) applying longitudinal force to the instrument to slide both the whole instrument and the straddled slideable member in the desired longitudinal direction along the rod to the desired location above the opening of the open-back member; and   (d) pushing down on the instrument to cause the slideable member to pass through the opening of the open-back member for locating therein.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein the slideable member includes a tapered portion for mating location within a corresponding tapered cavity in the open-back member, the method further including, applying longitudinal force to the instrument and thus to the slideable member once it is located in the open-back member to cause the taper on the slideable member to slide further into and tighten against the taper on the open-back member, and thus securely seating the slideable member in place. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 wherein the slideable member includes a threaded portion with a threadedly engaged nut, the method further including the step of threading the nut up to the open-back member to more securely locate the slideable member and open-back member in the desired position on the rod. 
     
     
       10. A method of utilizing a surgical instrument in conjunction with a slideable member located along an elongated rod and wherein the instrument includes a distal tip and an elongated handle extending therefrom, the tip including first and second extending members spaced apart from each other and connected by an interconnecting portion therebetween, thus providing a cavity having a length between the first and second extending members, the cavity being open on at least one side and being adapted for accepting a portion of the slideable member therein for straddling the slideable member between the first and second extending members, the method including the following steps: (a) aligning the length of the cavity so that it is substantially parallel with the elongated rod;   (b) straddling the slideable member in the cavity between the first and second extending members of the instrument; and   (c) applying longitudinal force to the instrument to slide both the whole instrument and the straddled slideable member longitudinally along the rod to the desired location along the rod.